T&I News Update Week 30 2014...

T&I News Update Week 30 2014…

Well, its been a busy and slightly unusual week.  Tuesday morning saw the early starters arrive to find that vandals had paid us a visit and broken into the Museum, smashing windows and doors around Foulbridge, breaking into plant (which they appeared to be attempting to steal), breaking into period vehicles and ripping out wiring and damaging controls.  One of our grey Fergie tractors was stolen and taken away from site and used to damage a local golf course – as reported in these news items (which make no mention of the damage done to our historic objects):

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11392050.Vandals_use_tractor_stolen_from_museum_to_churn_up_golf_greens/

http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/update/2014-08-07/tractor-joyriding-stunt-devastates-golf-club/

Below: Brian is seen repairing the wiring on the Austin 10, which suffered a smashed window and damage to electrics and controls – he is still working to put it right days later.  The Morris and Model Ts also suffered but are repaired and back in use, likewise our plant machinery.  Needless to say the Police are investigating and we eagerly await news from them of progress on this.

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Below:  On a happier note, here is a photo of a cleaned and FTR’d Edward Sholto in steam, its owners enjoying a day with us and their locomotive.  it is next booked to steam at Power from the Past in September – alongside a Welsh visitor – more on this next week…

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Below: I have been trialling Samson’s livery and style – the bunkers being ideal testing areas for this!  The green on the left hand bunker is flatted ‘Dark Green’ from the Craftmaster range – close to the Cambrian Railway’s ‘Invisible Green’ which I rather like…

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Below: The lining style is also being investigated – seen here masked for the straight lines and with the corners applied, which are marked in with a compass then applied free hand.

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Below: With masking tape removed – the green was previously flatted, whence the dull appearance.  Not also the notes to myself!

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Below: With a white trim applied, and the whole lot varnished, the result is rather smart!  The white will probably be toned down and made thinner on the final version, but this gives some idea of the livery for Samson.

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Below: Still on narrow gauge matters, the turnout to allow access to the second (northern) section of the triangle is on location and will be used to allow the curve to be aligned to give a smooth transition down from the Colliery Yard.

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Below: Some time ago I decided that Samson would need a tender – not for regular running nor in the style of a locomotive tender, but a wagon of appropriate appearance in which additional coal and water plus tools could be stowed.  I like the tall bottom discharge lead mine hoppers, and we have a number in our collection (and there are numerous similar examples at Killhope).  The remains of another are also here and are shown below – this one will be restored with amended drawgear to make it compatible with various other narrow gauge vehicles, but it should fit well with Samson and its lead mine origins.

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